Dear Editor,
On Aug. 5, 2008, the Carantouan Greenway’s news release included the following: “The Carantouan Greenway believes that the Marcellus Shale should be explored, BUT IN A VERY CONTROLLED AND REGULATED MANNER. All agencies should see to it that the permitting process involves a thorough analysis and the BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ARE FOLLOWED AT ALL TIMES.” In November of 2008, the Town of Athens, without critical review considered Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s request to withdraw water from the Susquehanna.
On April 20, 2009 we complained about Pennsylvania’s DEP decision “… to strip the County Conservation District of their obligation to review erosion, sediment control and stormwater control plans, that relate to gas drilling”.
On Dec. 3, 2009, the Carantouan Greenway sponsored Chris W. Burger’s presentation, MARCELLUS GAS DRILLING: WHAT IT WILL MEAN TO TIOGA COUNTY, in the Hubbard Auditorium in Owego.
In December of 2009 we reviewed New York State’s dSGEIS with respect to hydraulic fracturing in seeking gas. Based on our review we listed concerns for toxic soluble organic compounds, volatile organic compounds as well as the cumulative or synergistic effects. We stated that multiple sub-lethal exposures “… are real threats to the human health of Twin Tier residents.”
On Feb. 26, 2011, the Carantouan Greenway released a statement pointing out that most of the Valley area as well as most of Tioga County, N.Y. is dependent on a “sole source” aquifer. In 2012 the USGS released Scientific Investigations Report 2012-5127, which included the Hydrogeology of Cayuta Creek Aquifers upon which Waverly is dependent. After the release of this confirming 44-page study the Carantouan Greenway re-iterated its concern to protect our ground water as Cayuta Creek lies in a major fault zone.
On May 29, 2012 the Carantouan Greenway corresponded with President Marie Droege of the Robert Packer Hospital regarding a Greenway ‘Letter to the Editor’ requesting that the Guthrie Health Care System document and communicate about issues that may turn up while treating clients that may have been affected by the water or air in relation to the Marcellus Shale exploitation.
On Aug. 22, 2012 we congratulated Dr. Joseph A. Scopelliti, and President Marie Droege of Robert Packer Hospital for joining Geisinger’s Weis Center for Research in a needed systematic longitudinal study to evaluate the effects of Marcellus gas drilling in the Twin Tiers.
Last week the New York State Acting Health Commissioner, as well as the DEC Commissioner presented a recommendation to the Governor based on their review of peer reviewed SCIENTIFIC PAPERS. Their conclusion was based on SCIENCE.
There is TOO MUCH RISK to Health to permit hydrofracking in New York.
Sincerely,
Marty Borko
President, Carantouan Greenway
Waverly, N.Y.
